Machine drive



y 1936- J. B. TIEDEMANN 2,639,754

I MACHINE DRIVE Filed Jan. 51, 193 5 6 Sheets-Sheet l F-I l l I INVENTOR. JuZiusB.'Hedemann ATTORNEY.

y 9 19236! J. B. TIEDEMANN ,7

MACHINE DRIVE Filed Jan. 31, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Julius B. fiecle mam:

ATTORNEY.

May 5, 1936.

J. B. TIEDEMANN MACHINE DRIVE Filed Jan. 31, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 BY @MW ATTORNEY.

May 5, 1936. J. B. TIEDEMANN MACHINE DRIVE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 31, 1935 1 INVENTOR. Julius B. Yiedemzzmz ATTORNEY.

y 1936. J. a. TIEDEMANN 2,039,754

MACHINE DRIVE Filed Jan. 31, 1935 6 Sheets-Shes; 5

\\\ INVENTOR.

Julius B. Tz'eclemcmn ATTORNEY.

1 .J. B. TlEDEMANN 2,039,754

MACHINE DRIVE Filed Jan. 31, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 F1 5. 8. 2 s 5 u l 1 Ab 2 il m T Hf r 2o u \1 u 7( I? J [11m 5 v i INVENTOR. Julius B. fiedemann ATTORNEY.

Patented May 5, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE DRIVE Application January 31, 1935, Serial No. 4,403

12 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine drive and has been applied to the driving of an automatic plant for assembling and fabricating automobile frames. In this plant there is a conveyor system having work carrying trucks intermittently advanced therealong to successive work stations, and machines such as riveters and forming machines disposed at the various stations for performing work upon the frames. These machines are further adapted to be moved in a body toward and away from the conveyor line. Since the machinery and also the parts being worked upon are of considerable mass, and it is desirable to carry out the various operations rapidly and in proper synchronism, the problem of vibration and strain is important.

The application of the. present invention has so reduced or eliminated this diificulty that the plant has nearly doubled its speed of operation with greater safety. To this end the present invention constitutes an improvement over the disclosures of U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,397,020, issued November 15, 1921, to R. Stanley Smith, and No. 1,491,182, issued April 22, 1924, to Birger T. Andren.

' The general object of the invention is to decrease the vibration of the machine and increase the efiiciency, and at the same time to increase the speed of operation of the machine. A more specific object is to provide a smooth, effici'ent drive for machines requiring intermittent operations and periods of predetermineddwell in the various operations.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one end of the fabricating plant;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, complementary to Fig. 1, showing the other end of the plant;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section showing the drive for the machine supports in one position of dwell;

Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 4 showing the drive in the opposite position;

Fig. 6 is a similar section showing the drive for the machines in one position of dwell;

Fig. '7 is similar to Fig. 6 showing the drive in the opposite position;

Fig. 8 is a similar section showing the drive for the intermittent advance of the conveyor I trucks in one position of dwell; and

Fig. 9 is similar to Fig. 8 showing the drive in the opposite position.

The plant constitutes a single machine having all of its parts driven by a single motor I. The several parts of the machine consist of the intermittently moving conveyor trucks 2, and the riveters or forming machines 3 disposed in groups 5 at each station of the conveyor. The machines 3 have two different movements: one a lateral movement toward and away from the trucks; the other the operating movement of the machines. Thus, there are generally three distinct move- 10 ments to be effected in the plant: (1) an intermittent movement of the conveyor trucks 2, (2) the lateral movement of the machines 3, and (3) the operation of the machines themselves. Similar movements of like parts take place simultaneously, but difierent movements are successive or at least only partially overlapping, so as to provide a complete cycle of operation without interference. between the movements of the various parts.

Each different movement has a different period of dwell and also must effect different acceleration and retardation of the parts. Proper balancing of the various dwells and operations as well as the acceleration and retardation of '25 the various masses eifects a cushioning which eliminates excessive vibration and waste of energy or power.

The movements will be described more specifically in the following order: (1) lateral movement of the machines, (2) operation of the machines, and (3) conveyor movement.

(1) Lateral movement of the machines For the purpose of lateral movement the machines 3 are mounted on movable platforms 4 which are moved laterally by means of cranks 5 connected thereto by links 6, as is more specifically set forth and claimed in applicants c0- pending application, Serial Number 4,404, filed 0 January 31, 1935. The cranks 5 are intermittently rotated in opposite directions through approximately one half a revolution. During each cycle of operation, while the cranks 5 are at one extremity of movement the respective conveyor trucks 2 are moved to the next succeeding station, and while the cranks 5 are at the opposite extremity of movement the machines 3 are operated for performing work upon articles disposed on the trucks 2. Since difierent operations are performed at the opposite extremities of movement of the cranks 5, the respective dwells of the cranks at such extremities are different. The longer dwell is required during operation of the 55 machines 3 and the shorter dwell during movement of trucks 2.

The apparatus for producing these different dwells and for driving the cranks 5 from the continuously rotating motor I is shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5. Referring to these figures, shaft I is driven continuously at a predetermined uniform speed bythe motor I through a train of gears and a main drive shaft I. A crank 8 disposed on shaft I is connected by means of a long link 9 to an arm I having a fixed pivot point I I.

The arm II] does not rotate through a complete revolution, but reciprocates through only a partial revolution. A second arm I2 is independently pivoted at I I and has a gear segment I3 at its outer edge. The arms I0 and I2 are preferably of similar length.

Reciprocation of arm I2 through a partial revolution effects reciprocating rotation of cranks by means of a suitable train of gears and shafts ment I3. The movement and dwell of arm I2 thus directly determines the movement and dwell of the cranks 5 and, consequently, of the machines 3 on platform 4.

Arm [21s driven from arm ID by meansof a toggle link I5 having its opposite ends pivoted respectively to arms In and I2 and having a central pivotal crosshead I6 provided with rollers I'I riding in a stationary cam track I8.

In the present instance, the cam track I8 is straight'and is of sufficient length to accommodate the full stroke of the crosshead IS. The portions of track I8 at the opposite ends of the stroke of crosshead I6 are disposed at different distances from pivot point II, the farther end of the stroke being farthest from the pivot point. The'near end of cam track I8 approximates a distance from pivot point II equal to the length of arm I0 while the farther end approximates a distance equal to the sum of the length of arm II] and of the adjacent link of the toggle link I5. By reason of this disposition of the cam track I8 the toggle link I5 will'be approximately open at the near end of its stroke, represented in Fig. 4, and

approximately closed. at the far end of its stroke, represented in Fig; 5.

The closing of toggle I5 will efiect a loss in transmission of movement from arm ID to arm I2, while during the time toggle I5 is open there will be almost a direct drive of arm I2 by arm I0. As illustrated, the dwell of arm I2 and, consequently, of platforms 4 at the near end of it's stroke will be determined'largely by the dead center movement of crank 8 and the approach to dead center of arm I8. Cranks 5 will also be at dead center and will thus cooperate in effecting the desired dwell and acceleration and retardation. The dwell of arm I2 at the far end of its stroke will be determined not alone by the dead center of crank 8, but by closing of toggle link I5.

- In effect, at the near end of the'stroke, as link 9 and arm I0 approach parallelism, the movement of toggle link I5 becomesless and arm I2 is thus retarded. Likewise, at the far end of the stroke, as arm I0 and the adjacent link of toggle "I5 approach parallelism there is a loss of trans- (2) Operation of the machines The machines 3 are all driven simultaneously in a direction for performing work and then reversed to starting position. This is accomplished by oppositely reciprocating racks I9 extending along the conveyor line and individual pinions 20 for driving each machine therefrom, shown in Figures 3, 6 and '7.

The machines operate with practically no dwell between the successive working and reverse movements and then dwell for the rest of the cycle between the reverse and the next working movement while platforms 4 and trucks I are moving. Therefore, a single long dwell is provided in each cycle. This is accomplished by means of the mechanism illustrated in Figures 6 and '7.

The constantly rotating shaft I driven by motor I drives a crank 2I. The crank 2| is connected by a link 22 to an arm 23 pivoted at 24. A second arm 25 is also pivoted at 24 and isdriven from arm 23 by means of the toggle link 26. The central pivot point 21 of the toggle link26 constitutes a crosshead having rollers 28 riding in the cam track 29.

Arm 25 is connected by a link 30, crank'3I and shaft 32 to rocker arms 33 which in turn are connected to corresponding rocker arms 34 adjacent the racks I9 by means of parallel links 35. The rocker arms 34 are connected to racks I9'by shafts36, arms 31 and links 38 to drive the racks in opposite directions to effect rotation of the pinions 20. Thus operation of the machines 3 is effected directly by movement of the arm 25.

The cam track 29, in this instance, is curved to produce the required dwell of arm 25. The dwell being necessary for the major portion of the cycle, the track 29 is curved concentric to the pivotal connection between the link of toggle 26 adjacent to arm 25 and said arm on radius equal to the length of said link, see Fig. 7. there is a complete lost motion for the major .portion of the stroke of crank 2| and arm 23. At

the near end, however, the track 29 is curved out wardly, thus effecting a rapid movement ofarm 25 as the toggle link 26 opens. v

(3) The'conveyor movement I In this way rails beneath the trucks. Means are provided for I tion of machines 3. These coupling and indexing means are shown more fully in applicants co pending application above referred to.

The tube 10 moves forward the distance. from one station to another for propelling the trucks 2 forwardly and, while the trucks 2 are stationary at the several stations and the machines 3 moving and operating, the tube '40 returns to starting position empty. The return movement of tube 40 has a greater time in the cycle and therefore may be less rapid than the forward stroke.

The size and number of trucks 2 and weight of the work disposed thereon gives a large mass that has to be rapidly moved from station to station.- The problem of smooth starting and stopping of this mass and elimination of; vibra- 75 tion will be appreciated when'it is realized that the entire cycle of the plant is about seven seconds, and the portion of this cycle allotted to the forward movement of the trucks is less than three seconds.

The dwell at each end of the stroke of the tube 40 is about equal, but is relatively unimportant as compared with the smooth rapid operation desired. The power transmission, therefore, is designed to give smooth and rapid movement of the tube. Since the time period of the forward movement of tube 40 is less than one half the total time cycle of revolution of shaft 1 and, in fact, is less than three-sevenths of this time cycle, the-drive transmission provides a relatively long dwell at each end of the stroke coupled with very rapid acceleration .and retardation of movement.

The crank 4| disposed on shaft 1 which is rotated similarly to shaft 1, drives a connecting rod 42 which has at its'outer end a crosshead 43 disposed to ride in a straight cam track 44 extending in a direction radially from shaft 1 The crosshead 43 is connected by a link 45 to a' freely pivoting arm 46 pivoted at 41. A second freely pivoted arm 48 also pivoted at 41 is provided with a gear segment 49 which, during its reciprocation, meshes with a train of gears 50 for driving tube 40 by means of a rack 5| on the tube.

The reciprocation of arm 48 through a partial revolution is obtained by a toggle link 52 connecting it to the arm 46. The toggle link 52 has its opposite ends pivoted to the respective arms 46 and 48 and has its central pivot provided with a crosshead 53 which is disposed in cam track 44. The cam track 44 is disposed closer to pivot point 41 than the length of either arms 46 or 48 and is extended equally on opposite sides of the pivot point.

In Figure 8 it will be noted that when the drive is at the near end of its stroke the link 45 is disposed substantially at right angles to the connecting rod 42 and cam track 44. The crank 4| is also on dead center. By reason of the position of link 45 there is no driving movement transmitted to arm 46 as the crank 4| approaches dead center or leaves dead center. In fact, no substantial driving movement is transmitted until the crank 4| reaches nearly its maximum stroke movement at right angles to dead center.

The same is true at the other end of the stroke shown in Figure 9. There, the link 54 of the toggle 52 is disposed at approximately right angles to connecting rod 42 and cam track 44, and although arm 46 is moved by crank 4|, there is no transmission of movement from arm 46 to arm 48. Therefore, for a predetermined distance on either side of the dead center of crank 4| there is no movement of arm 48 and, consequently, no reciprocation of tube 40. l

The acceleration and retardation of movement is greater than it would be if made directly proportional to the stroke of crank 4|. The maximum speed reached is that of crank 4| as it reaches a position at right angles to its dead center, and on either side of this position the acceleration and retardation are increased to give a shorter time cycle of operation to tube 40.

The relative positioning of cranks 8 and 2| on shaft 1 and crank 4| on shaft 1 which shafts are rotated from the single motor determines the relative time cycle of each movement in the plant, and the cooperation of the several drives insures the proper timing of'the various movements. The entire plant thus operates'as a single machine.

I claim:

1. In a machine, a plurality of parts requiring distinctly different movements in timed synchronism in a cycle of operation, a plurality of constantly rotating cranks respectively providing a source of power for each of said movements of parts, and means disposed between each of said cranks and its respective driven part'for effecting synchronized reciprocating movement of the latter at periods different from the normal reciprocatory drive of said cranks.

2. In a machine, a plurality of parts requiring distinctly different movements in timed synchronism in a cycle of operation, a plurality of constantly rotating cranks respectively providing a source of power for each of said movements of parts, and means disposed between each of said cranks and its respective driven part for effecting synchronized reciprocating movement of the latter at periods different from the normal'reciprocatory drive of said cranks, said cranks being rotated by a single common rotating drive shaft and at relative angular positions for effecting successive relative working operations of the) several parts, each part being substantially in a period of dwell during operation of the other parts.

3. In a machine of the class describedya conveyor for presenting articles to'successive .work stations, a plurality of work performing machines at said stations, a constantly rotating drive shaft, a rotating crank driven by said shaft for moving said conveyor intermittently, a. rotating second crank driven by said shaft for operating said machines, and means disposed between'each of said cranks and its respective driven elements for increasing the rate of acceleration and retardation in synchronous movement of said elements in relative alternate timed relation.

4. In a machine of the class described, a conveyor for presenting articles to successive work stations, a plurality of work performing machines at said stations, a constantly rotating drive shaft, a crank driven by said shaft for moving said conveyor intermittently, a second crank driven by said shaft for operating said machines, a third crank driven by said shaft for moving said machines relatively toward and away from, the work, and means disposed between each of said cranks and its respective driven elements for increasing the rate of acceleration and retardation in synchronous movement of said elements in relative alternate timed relation.

5. In a machine of the class described,-a conveyor for presenting articles to successive work stations, a plurality of work performing machines at said stations, a constantly rotating drive shaft,

a crank rotated by said shaft for driving said conveyor intermittently, a second crank rotated by said shaft for operating said machines, a

third crank rotated by said shaft for moving said machines relatively toward and away from the work, and means disposed between each of said cranks and its respective driven elements for increasing the rate of acceleration and retardation in synchronous movement of said elements in relative alternate timed relation, each of said means comprising a pivoted lever arm connected to receive reciprocative rotary movement from the respective crank arm, a second pivoted lever arm disposed for reciprocative rotary movement and connected to the respective driven element, a toggle link connecting said pivoted lever arms,

and a stationary guide for controlling. the opening and closing of said toggle link during reciprocation of said first-named lever arm. to effect stations, a plurality of work performing machines at said stations, a constantly rotating drive shaft, a crank rotated by said shaft for driving .said conveyor intermittently, a second crank ro- =tated.by;said shaft for operating said machines,

a third crank rotated by said shaft for moving saidlmachines relatively toward'and away from the. work, and means disposed between each of said cranksand its respective driven elements for increasing the rate of acceleration and retarda- .tion in synchronous movement of said elements in. relative alternate timed relation, each of said means comprising a pivoted lever arm connected to receive reciprocative rotary movement from the, respective crank arm, a second pivoted lever arm disposed for reciprocative rotary movement and connected to the respective driven element, a toggle link'c onnecting said pivoted lever arms, and a stationary guide for controlling the opening and closing of said toggle link during reciprocationoffsaid first-named lever arm to effect predetermined reciprocation of said secondnamed lever arm, one of said means providing an extended dwellin movement of. its driven element at each end of its stroke.

7. In a machine of the class described, a conveyor for presenting articles to successive work stations, a plurality of work performing machines at said stations, a constantly rotating drive shaft, a crank rotated by said shaft for driving" said conveyor intermittently, a second crank rotated by said shaft for operating said machines, a third crank rotated by said shaft for moving said machines relatively toward and away fromthe work, and means disposed between each of said cranks and its respective driven elements for increasing the rate of acceleration and retardation insynchronous movement of said elements in relative alternate timed relation, each of said means comprising a pivoted lever arm connected to' receive reciprocative rotary movement from the respective crank arm, a second pivoted lever arm disposedfor reciprocative rotary movement and connected to the respective driven element, 'a toggle link connecting said pivoted Iever'aims, and a stationary guide for controlling the openingcand closing of said toggle stations, a plurality of work performing machines at said stations, a constantly rotating drive shaft,

a crank rotated by said shaft for driving said conveyor intermittently, a second crank rotated by said shaft for operating said machines, a

third crank rotated by said shaft for moving said 'machines relatively toward and away from the work and means disposed between'each of said cranks and its respective driven elements for increasing the rate of acceleration and retardation in synchronous movement of said elements .in relative alternate timed relation, each ofsaid meanscomprising a pivoted lever arm connected to receive reciprocative rotary movement from the respective crank arm, a. second, pivoted lever arm disposed for reciprocative rotary movement 7 9. In a machine of the class described, in com- 7 bination with a device disposed for reciprocation, a constantly rotating drive shaft, a crankrotated by said shaft for driving said reciprocating device, andemeans interposed between saidcrank armand saiddevice comprising a pivoted lever arm connected to receive reciprocative rotary movement from said crank, a second pivoted lever arm disposed for reciprocative rotary movement and connected to drive said device; said lever arms having a common pivot point, a toggle link connecting said, lever arms and havinga central hinge pivot, a straight stationary cam track disposed at right angles to the common pivot point of said leverarms' and in the path of movement of said toggle link, and means for causing said central hinge pivot of said toggle link to follow said straight cam 'track to effect opening andclosing movement of said toggle link during reciprocation of said first-named lever arm.

10., In a machine of the class described, in combination with a device disposed for reciprocation, a constantly rotating drive shaft, a crank rotated by said shaft for driving said device, a cam track Vdisposedat right angles to said shaft and extending substantially radially therefrom, a link pivoted at one end to said crankand at its other end to a second link, the common pivot point of said links being disposed to follow said cam track, an arm having a stationary pivot at one end and being pivoted to said second link at the other to be reciprocated-thereby, said arm and stationary pivot being positioned'to effect positioning of said second link at right angles to said cam track during a portion of the rotation of said crank to produce a predetermined dwell in themovement of said arm, and means connecting said arm to said reciprocating device to drive the same.

11, In amachine of the class described, in

combination witha'device disposed for reciprocation, a. constantly rotating drive shaft, a crank 'r'ot'ated'bysaid shaft for driving said device, a

camtrackdisposed at rightangles to said'shaft and extending substantially radially'therefrom,

'a' linkfpivoted atone end to said crank and at its other end to a second link, the common pivot point of said links being disposed to follow said cam track, an arm having a stationary pivot at one end andbeing pivoted to said second link at the other to be reciprocated thereby, a second arm pivoted at the stationary pivot point of said first-namedarm, a" toggle link connecting said pivoted arms and having a central hinge pivot, 'means'for causing said central hinge pivot to follow the path of said cam track during reciprocation, said cam track being disposed relative to said stationary pivot for said arms to effect a positioninguof saidjseco d-named l nk, sub ta tially at right angles thereto at one end of the stroke of said first-named link and to effect a positioning of the toggle link adjacent said second arm substantially at right angles to said cam track at the other end of the stroke of said first-named link to thereby extend the dwell in movement of said second-named lever between successive reciprocations, and means for transmitting the movement of said second-named lever to said reciprocating device to drive the same.

12. In a machine of the class described, in combination with a device disposed for reciprocation, a constantly rotating crank for driving said device, and means disposed between said crank and device for effecting a modified reciprocative movement of said device difierent from that which would normally be produced by said crank,

said means comprising an arm having a stationary pivot point and disposed for reciprocative rotary movement, a toggle link connecting said arm and crank, a second toggle link connecting said arm to driving means for said device, and a guide disposed in the path of reciprocation of said toggle links for effecting predetermined alternate opening and closing of said links during reciprocation thereof.

JULIUS B. TIEDEMANN. 

